Counting for Houston area races now complete following Saturday's runoff election

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Voters across the Houston area were given one last chance Saturday to decide on several key races, including who will become the city's next mayor.

More than 68,000 Harris County voters showed up to cast their ballots during the final 12 hours of the December runoff, according to the elections department.

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Just before 9:30 p.m. Saturday, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee conceded the Houston mayor's race to state Sen. John Whitmire.

SEE ALSO: John Whitmire elected as Houston's next mayor

In the race for Houston city controller, 37-year-old former Harris County clerk Chris Hollins defeated rival Orlando Sanchez, who served three terms as Harris County treasurer.

ABC13 projected Carolyn Evans-Shabazz and Mario Castillo have won their races for Houston City Council Districts D and H, respectively.

In all, there were seven Houston City Council races to be decided, but there was more than just Bayou City offices on the ballot.

In Bellaire, voters elected Gus Pappas as the city's next mayor. Pearland voters elected Mona Chavarria to city council.

Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth noted that only about 11% of eligible voters (or 132,000 people) cast their ballot early. She emphasized that the results of this election will determine the City of Houston's leadership for the next four years.

"Yes, it's Saturday. Everyone is thinking about the holidays, shopping, and ordering gifts. But we want to remind you that this is one of our most important elections," Hudspeth said.